Someone Asked What Book People Should Be Judged For Owning, The Internet Delivered

It is said that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. But many do it anyway. Some go a step further by judging people for the books they own or proudly display on their shelves. When a reader who goes by the name BaileyReadsGood recently asked, “What’s a book that, if you see it on someone’s shelf, you immediately start judging them for it?” the internet didn’t hold back.

The book lover received over a thousand comments on her TikTok post. And it’s been viewed more than 68,000 times. Scroll down to see what people had to say, so that you can clean up your bookshelf before your next guest comes over. Don’t forget to upvote the ones you agree with, and let us know in the comments if you have any books to add to the list.

This book enthusiast was curious to know what should *not* be proudly displayed on anyone’s bookshelf

Person with glasses in front of bookshelves, text reads about judging people based on books they own.

Image credits: baileyreadsgood

From the Bible, to the classics, and some modern best-sellers, people didn’t hold back…

Comment about judging people based on owning the book "The Bible," with engagement metrics visible.

A black Holy Bible cover with gold lettering; a book some judge people for possessing.

Image credits: amazon

Comment by theycallme_leg about judging people with only classic books, calling it a red flag.

Penguin Books cover of "The Picture of Dorian Gray" by Oscar Wilde.

Image credits: amazon

Comment on books judging people with "Anything Colleen Hoover" text and likes count.

Cover of “It Ends with Us” by Colleen Hoover, featuring pink flowers, related to books people judge.

Image credits: amazon

Comment discussing judgment based on owning purely self-help books, highlighting social perceptions.

Cover of "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen R. Covey.

Image credits: amazon

Comment on ACOTAR book, expressing judgment on those who recommend it.

“Cover of A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, associated with judging readers.”

Image credits: amazon

Comment on TikTok saying, "Throne of Glass is an immediate no," referencing a book that users judge.

Cover of "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas with a silhouette by a glowing doorway.

Image credits: amazon

Comment on "48 Laws of Power" book, questioning the need for manipulation for power.

Comment about judging people who own the book "48 Laws of Power.

The 48 Laws of Power book by Robert Greene, known for sparking judgment among readers.

Image credits: amazon

Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton, dark cover with skull, butterflies, and roses, symbolizes a book that sparks judgment.

Image credits: amazon

Comment by Steph expressing judgment about owning the books "Caraval" and "Haunting Adeline," with an eye roll emoji.

Caraval book cover by Stephanie Garber with red swirls and starburst background.

Image credits: amazon

Comment by Widy Rhodes about judging people based on the book "Credence.

Cover of "Credence" by Penelope Douglas, a book people judge owners by, with forest imagery and mist.

Image credits: amazon

Comment lists books like Zodiac Academy and Gothikana that make people judge book owners.

Cover of "Zodiac Academy" with astrological symbols and twin figures centered.

Image credits: amazon

Text from user "Cicada" about judging someone for owning 32 copies of "A Court of Mist and Fury.

Book cover of "A Court of Mist and Fury" by Sarah J. Maas, featuring a stylized bird design.

Image credits: amazon

Comment discussing judgments about book choices, specifically "Glow of the Everflame," on a social media post.

Glow of the Everflame book cover, fiery silhouette with a castle, evokes judgment in some readers.

Image credits: amazon

Comment about judging people for owning Harry Potter, including nostalgic attachments.

Cover of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone featuring main characters and a castle.

Image credits: amazon

Comment about judging people by the books on their shelf, specifically Robert Greene's books.

Book cover of "The 33 Strategies of War" by Robert Greene featuring a bold red title.

Image credits: amazon

Comment about "Six of Crows," expressing judgment based on book ownership and implying positive traits.

Cover of 'Six of Crows' by Leigh Bardugo, featuring a crow with wings extended.

Image credits: amazon

@baileyreadsgood you get excited to make a friend and then see them proudly displaying books by problematic authors even when you know they know 😭 #booktok#readersoftiktok#fantasybooks#cozyfantasy#fantasyromance♬ Omote – Yuki Chiba

“Anything Colleen Hoover”: here’s why people are divided over the It Ends With Us author

One of the names that came up a few times was Colleen Hoover. In case you’re unfamiliar, Hoover is an American author who has written several books, mainly romance novels. Perhaps her most famous one is It Ends With Us. The best-seller was recently been adapted into a Hollywood movie, which, if you’ve been following the Blake Lively vs Justin Baldoni drama, you’ll know has racked up its own fair share of controversy.

Critics have hit out at Hoover for romanticizing domestic violence. The way one op-ed, published on domesticshelters.org, puts it is that the book “feeds into the very structures of toxic masculinity that it purports to combat” by “romanticizing red flags” and glorifies a “charismatic-but-dangerous man.”

Some felt the book’s bright and cheerful cover was inappropriate for its heavy and triggering theme. Hoover came under fire again in 2023 when she announced the release of a coloring book based on the main female character of It Ends With Us.

As Glamour reported, many “criticized this as an out of touch and inappropriate way to sell merch, and the backlash was so vocal that Hoover and her publisher decided to cancel its publication.”

The author quickly pulled the coloring book and addressed the controversy in a post on Instagram. “I hear you guys and I agree with you,” wrote Hoover. “No excuses. No finger-pointing. I have contacted the publisher to let them know I would prefer we don’t move forward with it. Thank you for the respectful discourse and accountability. Nothing but love.”

Hoover’s publishers later weighed in. “We developed this book to be uplifting and empowering, mirroring Lily Bloom’s story; we appreciate the feedback and discourse and have the greatest respect for Colleen Hoover’s fans. Thank you for the honest conversation and passion for the world Colleen has created in her books and the characters within,” read Atria Books’ post on X at the time.

Despite the controversy, It Ends With Us has been hugely successful, having sold more than 10 million copies worldwide in print, ebook and audio form since its first release in 2016.

Image credits: Matias North / unsplash (not the actual photo)

Many people felt no one should be judged for what books they read

Social media comment discussing books and judgment, expressing a viewpoint against judging people by their book choices.

Comment on judging people for owning certain books, with a thoughtful perspective on author controversy.

Comment dismissing book judgments with laughing emoji, highlighting perspectives on judging people by their books.

Comment discussing judging people based on book choices, expressing indifference to opinions on reading preferences.

Comment by jemireads stating preferences for book choices, with 160 likes.

Comment discussing judgment over book choices, advocating for reading freedom.

Social media comments discussing judgment based on book choices.

Comment on judging people based on book choices, with a red flag emoji.

Online comment criticizing pretentious reactions to one specific book.

Comment discussing personal preference against judging people by their books.

Comment questioning the judgment of book buyers based on authors, with a focus on personal enjoyment over scrutiny.

Comment on book judgment: "This comment section is a book buy list," with laughing emoji, 8 likes.

Comment discussing unreadable YA books and owning bad books with a shocked emoji.

Comment by Allie, saying she doesn’t judge people for books they like, related to book judging discussion.

Comment about romfantasy worlds with emojis, related to books that influence judgment.

Comment about judging people based on books, from user debating second-hand book reasons.

Comment on judging people by their books, mentions bookshelf as a personal collection reflecting past choices.

Some readers were thrilled that the question had been asked

Comment discussing judgment of people based on book choice, emphasizing issues with authors' views.

Social media comments discussing judgment based on book ownership.

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